Children Raised In LGBT Families Of Color Face Double Jeopardy

February 28, 2012

Today, in partnership with The National Black Justice Coalition, National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance, UNID@S, the Fighting Injustice to Reach Equality (FIRE) initiative, the Movement Advancement Project and the Center for American Progress, we released a companion report to the All Children Matter Report – LGBT Families of Color: Facts at a Glance

The report offers a snapshot of how racial and ethnic discrimination, anti-LGBT social stigma and outdated family laws intersect to hurt children living in LGBT families of color.

Some key findings include:

LGBT families are more racially and ethnically diverse than families headed by married heterosexual couples. Of same-sex couples with children, 41% are people of color, compared to 34% of married different-sex couples with children.

LGBT families of color face greater poverty. For example, 32% of children raised by black same-sex couples live in poverty, compared to 13% of children raised by black married different-sex couples and 7% of children raised by white married different-sex couples.

The report offers concrete solutions to addressing these challenges:

Legally recognizing LGBT families of color via parental recognition laws at the state level; marriage for gay and lesbian couples; and pathways to immigration and citizenship for binational and immigrant LGBT families.

Providing LGBT families of color with equal access to government-based economic protections such as safety net programs. Consistent, broad definitions of family within these programs should include domestic partners and other de facto parents.

Providing LGBT families of color and their children with equal access to health care and health insurance, as well as medical decision-making ability.

Protecting LGBT families of color and their children with non-discrimination laws and anti-bullying policies.